I was surfing around trying to find a decent price on a prescription diving mask for an excursion during the cruise I will take the last week of December/first week of January, when I ran across a site for s
Shinfins. LOL, I'm not joking. I won't post the URL, but you can find it just by googling shinfins. Anyone ever heard of them before?
Neat concept, and seems like it would make sense. I probably wouldn't drop $100 on a pair until I was sure they actually provided a training benefit.
Former Member
Yes, we tested them in the water. They are very difficult to put on because the rubber straps are not very stretchy and they tear the hair off your ankles. Once you get them on and start swimming, they are even worse. The fins fold around your feet and ankles on the down kick and fold backwards and flap around on the up kick. I absolutely appreciate innovative thinking, but this product could have benefited from more testing prior to production.
Former Member
I have a different opinion about the shinfin.
- the shinfin is quite good in teaching the proper kick. I've tested them with many beginner swimmers during their lessons and it takes one lesson with the fins on for them to improve their kick. With the fins on,they suddenly have to work much harder with their quads, it is much tougher to stand up etc. So after they take them off, their kick is better and standing up from floating is a bliss :).
- I'd also argue that they are quite good for more advanced swimmers as they really make you think about your body position since they lift your legs up a little and kicking is much harder, so you are strengthening the right core muscles.
- yes, true there is an initial learning curve to putting them on, however, after you figure out how to do it, it takes 15 seconds per fin and no hair gets ripped out :).
- I do agree that the price is a bit steep, but if you really struggle with the kick (as a triathlete or beginner swimmer), they are well worth it
- here is more detailed shinfin review that I wrote
